Comment Number: 522418-02548
Received: 6/16/2006 8:46:19 AM
Organization:
Commenter: Monica Medley
State: OK
Subject: Business Opportunity Rule
Title: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
CFR Citation: 16 CFR Part 437
No Attachments

Comments:

Dear Sir or Madam, I hope this letter finds you and your families doing well. I am writing it to you because of the proposed Business Opportunity Rule R511993. I strongly believe that currently the way it is written now could prevent me from continuing as a Mannatech Associate. I understand that the some of the FTC’s responsibilities is to protect the public from “unfair and deceptive acts or practices,” but some of the sections in the proposed rule will make it very difficult if not impossible for me to sell Mannatech products. The seven-day waiting period is going to make it very confusing for people as to why they would have to wait. When we go shopping we can buy something, pretty much anything and be able to take it home use the product right away no problem. When I enroll a new associate for Mannatech for only $39.00 a sales kit they should be able to the same thing. In addition it implies that there might be something that is wrong with the plan. It is also unnecessary because Mannatech has a 90% buyback policy for all products including the sales kits purchased by a salesperson within the last twelve months. In the writing of the Business Opportunity Rule R511993 it asks for the release of any information regarding lawsuits involving misrepresentation, or unfair or deceptive practices. In this day and time people are suing anyone or any company for whatever reason we see it all the time. If a company is found innocent it doesn’t make sense to have to provide the information. People are trying more and more today to make educated decisions I believe that we should be able give all the necessary information so that they can do that. Why should we have to give additional information if it is unnecessary? This puts Mannatech and myself at an unfair advantage even though Mannatech has done nothing wrong. Under the proposed rule it also requires a disclosure of a minimum of 10 prior purchases nearest to the prospective purchaser. I have no problem providing these however in this day and time with the increase of identity theft many people will be very reluctant to have their information given out to strangers. I also think that this sentence in the proposed rule will prevent many people from wanting to sign up as a salesperson “If you buy a business opportunity from the seller, your information can be disclosed in the future to other buyers.” Where is their privacy, we are receiving notices from companies that we do business with that they DO NOT disclose our information. People are being taught not to give out their information so what is this really saying? My husband and I have been with Mannatech since November 2005. We did extensive research because we wanted to build a business to earn additional income. With our findings we were very impressed with the Mannatech and the products. We have been so blessed. I am a stay at home mom and the additional income keeps me staying at home taking care of our family. Thank you very much for your time in reading this letter and considering my opinion. I greatly appreciate the work that the FTC does, however I believe that Business opportunity Rule R511993 will put up many stumbling blocks for people that are trying to build a business and that there are many other ways to be able to reach its goals. May God bless you and yours. Best regards, Monica Medley